Chelsea Solar

Solar Development & PFAS Testing

WHEM has worked with a solar developer on a proposed 2.0 mV solar development in the Apple Hill area of Bennington, Vermont. WHEM conducted a preliminary review of the proposed solar development, soil mapping, geological mapping, and hydrogeology of the area, as well as a literature review on the chemical mobility of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the known PFOA contamination to wells in this portion of Bennington. This was followed by soil testing for PFOA and organic content of the soil at several locations within the proposed footprint of the Chelsea Solar Project. Based on this study, WHEM concluded that it is very unlikely that the construction or operation of the proposed solar development would cause a material change in PFOA contamination or mobilization of PFOA that would impact the soils at the site, the underlying bedrock aquifer, or the uphill neighborhood drinking water wells.